Hello, The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus 9mm is an evolution of the original Shield 9, primarily distinguished by its increased magazine capacity and minor design refinements. The Shield Plus retains the same overall length as the original Shield 9 but features a larger grip, allowing it to accommodate 10- or 13-round magazines compared to the original's 7- or 8-round capacity.
This increase in capacity is the primary functional difference, making the Plus more suitable for those who prefer fewer reloads during defensive scenarios. Happy shooting!

Happy Friday Richard,
If you are comfortable with the capacity and trigger of your current Shield and it reliably serves its purpose for you, there is no urgent need to upgrade.
The main differences are the Shield Plus has a significantly higher magazine capacity (10 or 13 rounds vs. 7 or 8 for older models) and a nicer, flat-face trigger. The Plus is also slightly wider (1.1 inches vs. 0.95 inches) due to its double-stack magazine, but maintains a similar overall footprint. Whether you need to buy a new one depends on your priorities; if the higher capacity and improved trigger are important to you, it might be worth the upgrade.
Take care bud and enjoy the weekend

the shield plus is a wider double stack pistol with higher capacity

Good evening to you!! I own both the gen 1 and the plus models of the shield. The plus is thinner, better trigger and grip texture. Hope this helps. Have a good rest of your day.
🇺🇸🇺🇸 'Merica' 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Hi Richard and welcome. The only difference is the Shield Plus is a "Double Stack" Magazine design which holds more ammunition than the slightly thicker grip compared to the "Single Stack" Magazine design of your original Shield. Cheers, stay safe and enjoy!

Sir Richard,
The S&W Shield Plus features a larger capacity (10 or 13 rounds) with a slightly thicker grip for better ergonomics, especially for larger hands, while maintaining a similar size to the original and M2.0 models. It has a redesigned flat-faced trigger for a crisper, more responsive pull and a shorter reset. The grip is slightly thicker to accommodate larger magazines, and it remains compatible with most aftermarket accessories. Overall, it’s an upgraded, capacity-focused version of the M2.0 in a compact, concealed-carry package.
Hope the above information helps Sir Richard. Please take care and stay safe 🙏🏻

The primary differences between your older Smith & Wesson (S&W) 9mm Shield and the S&W Shield Plus are increased magazine capacity, a flat-faced trigger, and an enhanced grip texture on the Plus model, despite being only slightly wider. Your original Shield likely has a flush magazine capacity of 7 or 8 rounds, while the Shield Plus offers 10 or 13 rounds, providing significantly more firepower in a similar footprint. The Plus also boasts a more crisp, lighter-feeling flat trigger and more aggressive grip texturing for a better shooting experience.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
Magazine Capacity:
Your Older Shield: Typically holds 7 or 8 rounds with flush-fit or extended magazines.
Shield Plus: Offers more capacity, with flush magazines holding 10 rounds and extended magazines holding 13 rounds.
Trigger:
Your Older Shield: Features the older hinged trigger design, which can feel less crisp.
Shield Plus: Comes with a new flat-face trigger that provides a cleaner, more linear, and crisper trigger pull.
Grip:
Your Older Shield: Has a less textured grip.
Shield Plus: Features an improved, more aggressive grip texture, which aids in recoil management.
Dimensions:
Your Older Shield: Slimmer grip profile.
Shield Plus: Has a slightly wider grip (approximately 1.1 inches vs. 0.95 inches), primarily due to the larger capacity magazines.
Slide and Sights:
Your Older Shield: Shares many dimensions and features with the Shield Plus, including interchangeable slides.

Hi Richard, the Shield Plus has upped the capacity from 7 and 8 round magazines to 10 and 13 round magazines. With one in the chamber, the extended magazine in the Shield Plus doubles the capacity of the original and 2.0 Shield platforms.
And while you might think that the added capacity would have made the Shield Plus larger than the previous Shields, you will find that they are all nearly identical in size.
The Shield Plus has a few additional stand-out features that really set it apart. While the original Shield and 2.0 series offer curved hinge triggers, the Shield Plus features the new flat-face trigger.
Another feature you can expect to find on the Shield Plus is its new enhanced grip texture.
Both the S&W Shield and Shield Plus are excellent choices for concealed carry. The Shield Plus offers higher magazine capacity and a slightly larger grip.
Stay safe & have a great day!

The difference is primarily magazine capacity with some other changes/improvements to trigger and grip texture. Similar to other brand offerings like the Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, etc. etc., they use a staggered double-stack magazine design to offer 10 to 13 round magazines with essentially the same length and grip size as the older single-stack magazines that only held 7 or 8 rounds.